Beach water quality threatened

SARASOTA, Fla. - Water quality along Florida's beaches is not what it once was.

According to data on the Florida Department of Health website, the state has dropped to 13th on a ranking of states with the lowest number of tests showing high bacteria in the water. Florida previously ranked 5th on that list.

What some say is even more troubling, there are looming federal funding cuts for testing. President Barack Obama's proposed 2014 budget includes more than $9 million in cuts for beach water testing. In addition to that threat, over the last few years the state's DOH has also cut back the amount of tests they conduct. It is not clear if state funding would be increased if the proposed federal funding cuts become a reality.

ABC 7's Josh Taylor will have more on this story tonight on ABC 7 News at 5 & 6.